§ 97-37. Where injured employee dies before total compensation is paid. - North Carolina Statutes

§97‑37.  Where injured employee dies before total compensation is paid.

When an employee receives oris entitled to compensation under this Article for an injury covered by G.S. 97‑31and dies from any other cause than the injury for which he was entitled tocompensation, payment of the unpaid balance of compensation shall be made:First, to the surviving whole dependents; second, to partial dependents, and,if no dependents, to the next of kin as defined in the Article; if there are nowhole or partial dependents or next of kin as defined in the Article, then tothe personal representative, in lieu of the compensation the employee wouldhave been entitled to had he lived.

Provided, however, that if thedeath is due to a cause that is compensable under this Article, and thedependents of such employee are awarded compensation therefor, all right tounpaid compensation provided by this section shall cease and determine. (1929,c. 120, s. 37; 1947, c. 823; 1971, c. 322.)